Kiefer Sutherland had said playing the father of a boy with special powers in Touch reminds him of his iconic 24 character Jack Bauer.

In Touch - which returns to Sky1 this month - Kiefer plays widowed father Martin Bohm, who struggles to connect with his 11-year-old son, who has special powers to see the "seemingly hidden patterns that connect every life on the planet".

Kiefer said of playing an unlikely hero: "I like that. I felt the same way about Jack Bauer. Jack Bauer was thrust by virtue of his occupation into situations that were just unmanageable, and he did the best he could.

"Martin in many ways is very similar. This is a guy who just wants to raise his son and he gets put into a situation that is far beyond his ability to handle, and yet he does the best he can. I like that unlikely guy, who rises to the occasion, or at least does his best."

And Kiefer feels inspired working with 12-year-old David Mazouz, who plays his son Jake.

He said: "He's amazing. He's one of the most special actors I've worked with, regardless of age. He's just an unbelievable gift - probably the most responsible person on our set!

"And it was nice for me - I've done a lot of work over a lot of years, and to see someone come into work as excited and bright-eyed as he is, reminded me it's a great gift to be able to do what we do."